The Deputy Ministry of Culture of the Principality of Asturias has prepared an inventory of the situation of industrial heritage , expanding it to more than 1.700 registered elements or sets (of which a thousand have protection), to improve the conservation of "fundamental assets" in the history of Asturias.
By municipality, Mieres has the highest number of listed elements, with 271, of which only 96 are protected . Langreo, for its part, has 197 listed elements and 131 protected ones; San Martín del Rey Aurelio has 132 listed elements and 13 protected ones; Gijón has 120 listed elements and 82 protected ones; and Oviedo has 113 listed elements and 59 protected ones. The study reveals that almost a quarter of the protected elements are facilities and housing, and the sectors with the highest number of protected properties are mining operations, railway buildings, and port facilities.
Here we give you some equipment clues that can be visited and that offer a 100% genuine vision of worlds that are very unknown to the common people.
Museums Asturias
Asturias has three important museums linked to the world of mining and iron and steel, key industries in the development of industrial life in mining areas. They are essential visits if you like to learn from the past.
Museum of Mining and Industry - MUMI
The wealth of Asturias' subsoil has shaped its development, social conflicts, economy, and more… Read more
Samuño Valley Ecomuseum
To be a miner for a while, to put yourself in their shoes (with all due respect), to discover the smell of a real mine, its… Read more
Iron and Steel Museum - MUSI
The Museum of Iron and Steel aims to combine culture, industry, leisure, and history as a new model of… Read more
Industrial towns Asturias
In the city of Gijón, there's a little-known site, even among Asturians, that's a true discovery, not only for its location within a city block courtyard but also for its recent restoration and enhancement to preserve the essence of its past. This is the Citadel of Celestino Solar , an industrial settlement that grew due to the massive migration of rural workers seeking employment in the city. We can immerse ourselves in its daily life by visiting its humble houses and the surrounding common areas within the enclosed perimeter, away from the prying eyes of the rest of the city.
The Citadel of Gijon
A true history lesson, a must-see as there are very few examples left in Spain… Read more
Mieres relied on agriculture and livestock farming, with a largely subsistence economy, until the discovery of coal in the last third of the 18th century. The industrialization of the region began in the mid-19th century . Industry and mining experienced a boom, attracting English, French, and Belgian companies. This has left behind a rich and abundant industrial heritage: mining equipment, facilities, headframes, old workshops, and more. Notable examples include the Barredo, Figaredo, Fortuna, San Nicolás, Espinos, and Santa Bárbara mines (the first mine declared a Site of Cultural Interest), among many others. The mining village of Bustiello is a must-see , offering a lesson in cultural anthropology and an essential visit for anyone visiting the Mieres municipality.
Bustiello mining town
This town, which in the past aspired to be a workers' paradise , is fertile ground for… Read more
The experience of going down a mine in Asturias
Arnao, very close to Avilés, is a town that boasts the first documented coal mine in Spain. It is fascinating for its authentic character and the vivid image it conveys of the past. It is also the first underwater mine in Europe and the first in Spain to use the railway (1836). A guided tour allows visitors to explore the interior of the mine.
Arnao Mine
Arnao, a town 7 kilometers from the city of Avilés, has an unusual mine entrance that stands out against the landscape… Read more
Everything in the municipality of San Martín del Rey Aurelio is linked to mining and its related industries. The main towns, L'Entregu/El Entrego, Sotrondio, and Blimea, were major mining centers . The massive influx of workers led to the creation of mining settlements. We can visit those that are still preserved today, such as El Serrallo (Sotrondio), El Coto, La Vega, El Japón, and San Vicente, in L'Entregu/El Entrego.
The bridges over the Nalón River, along with the mine entrances, shafts, and headframes, are among the most interesting structures in San Martín del Rey Aurelio 's industrial heritage . Visitors can explore the Puente La Oscura, the Puente de Carrocera, the Puente del Miramar, the Puente de Los Gallegos, and the Puente de La Maquinilla.
If you visit this municipality, you should definitely go to the Sotón Mine . It's the second of the mine shafts built by the Duro Felguera Metallurgical Company, and one of its unique features is that it has two independent vertical shafts, each with its own extraction machine. It was closed in December 2014, and now you can take a fascinating tour and learn more about the world of mining.
The Well Soton
You have to experience it. Descending into the Sotón Cave is an experience that far surpasses any other kind of… Read more
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
